Job Title:Flood Risk Manager / Service:Places Directorate
Community Services
Post Number:PLCO9510 / Division:Highway& Neighbourhood Services
Grade: 10 / Business Unit/Section:
Asset Management Team
Overall Purpose of Job:
To supervise, undertake and progress technical drainage and flood mitigation engineering solutions to enable the Council to progress itsplanned flood mitigation and defence improvements and comply with the provisions of the Floods & Water Management Act and EU Floods Directive
As directed by the Asset Team Manager to be responsible for the day to day operation of the drainage aspect of the Highway Services function.
Main Responsibilities:
1.To carry out investigations into drainage and flood related problems and prepare associated reports accordingly. This will include monitoring the condition of watercourses and associated structures within the Borough in accordance with the requirements of the Floods & Water Management Act.
2.Develop and maintain the Surface Water Asset Management Plan (SWAMP) and programmes of work for drainage, flood remediation and sewerage maintenance projects in conjunction with the Asset Team Manager.
3.To act as a liaison point between agencies including the Environment Agency, Water Companies and DEFRA involved in flood alleviation works, Town/Parish Councils, Councillors and the communities, providing regular updates on progress.
4.Responsible forseeking all potential external funding avenues for flood mitigation works and to prepare the necessary bids required to acquire such funding. To work with partners on the annual FDGIA submission for funding to the Environment Agency.
5.To be responsible for the authorisation of expenditure in the functional area within budgetary limits agreed with the Asset Team Manager and also to monitor expenditure and report as necessary to enable appropriate and timely corrective action to be taken if problems arise.
6.Mapping of Flood Risks and Watercourses using GIS and other mapping tools together with developing maintenance schedules for watercourses and structures.
7.Preparation of contract documentation for the implementation of drainage, flood remediation and sewerage schemes for construction, using a variety of computer aided design packages.
8.To establish and co-ordinate relations with stakeholders including interest groups, Highways Agency, the police, funding and regulatory bodies, elected representatives, Town and Parish Councils and members of the public, to ensure that drainage works, flood remediation and sewerage projects are effectively and safely managed.
9.Toprepare material for and attend such meetings as may be required internally and with outside agencies and communities, both within and outside normal office hours, and in doing so act as representative of the Council on drainage and flooding related issues.
10.To assess the need for, and ensure systems are in place that enable, accurate contemporary records to be kept of all relevant information in order that the authority can make such records readily available in future insurance or litigious situations.
11.To develop and maintain effective communications and a good working relationship with other council teams, service areas and any other relevant parties to ensure that strategies are co-ordinated and the most effective use is made of resources and also that problems, disputes, conflicts and the like are kept to a minimum and, when they do arise, can be resolved efficiently.
12.To keep abreast of local and national industry developments in the functional area, networking as necessary to ensure best practice in other organisations is identified and shared.
13.Investigation of flooding incidents to ascertain the cause and to design engineering solutions to relieve the impact of flooding on users of the public highway, property and landowners.
14.Provide a flexible response during periods of rainfall e.g. liaison with the public, on site investigations including the provision of advice and attendance if required outside of normal office hours.
15.In regard to pumping stations identify and plan works, within budgets for maintenance and repair.
16.To deputise for the Asset Team Manager as required.
17.Undertake such other appropriately graded duties and responsibilities, within the Highways Team, which may from time to time be allocated to the post.
18.To ensure compliance with relevant Health and Safety legislation, including Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007, in all aspects of work undertaken so that your own safety, and the safety of working colleagues and occasional visitors, is safeguarded so far as is reasonably practical.
19.Maintaining records and management information on flooding matters to enable work to be prioritised and historical records kept enabling the public to be fully informed.
20.To perform winter maintenance and other emergency duties, including participation in out of hours rotas, as necessary to ensure the Council fulfils its statutory obligations and achieves its stated objectives in respect of these functions, as required.
21.To monitor the perceptions of the customers of the service offered by Highways and the contribution made to achieve their objectives.
22.To ensure all internal practices and procedures are in accordance with the Council’s financial regulations and Human Resource policies.
Knowledge, Skill and Experience Required:
  • Experience of flood mitigation engineering and drainage design, preferably in Local Government.
  • Working in a multi-functional organisation, highways and civil engineering.
  • Evidence of CPD.
  • To prioritise own work and that of others.
  • Good communication, influencing, negotiating and presentation skills both orally and in writing.
  • The ability to solve complex problems in the functional area.
  • The ability to deal effectively with a range of individuals or organisations on complex matters in conflict or confrontational situations.
  • Health and Safety at Work Legislation.
  • Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007
  • Detailed knowledge of all aspects of drainage, flood remediation and sewerage design and construction.
  • Detailed knowledge of all relevant design standards and technical memoranda.
  • IT skills to undertake computer aided design.
  • Appropriate engineering tender and contract procedures knowledge.
  • Monitoring and co-ordinating complex revenue and capital budgets.
  • Be able to transport yourself throughout the council area in a timely manner.
  • Use of information and communication technology systems.
  • Local Government administration, systems and procedures, policies, financial regulations and standing orders.
  • National and European procurement procedures.
  • Skills and experience in the management of staff
  • MS Office systems
  • Dealing with elected representatives, the general public, senior council officers, government offices and agencies and other professionals in respect to traffic matters.

Creativity and Innovation:
1.Development and implementation of drainage, flood remediation and sewerage maintenance programme.
2.To interpret and clarify clients’ briefs, setting appropriate design criteria, estimating resources and staff costs to carry out the design service.
3.To integrate civil and hydrological engineering solutions for a wide range of schemes:
4.To interpret construction proposals and to resolve design and detail issues.
5.Answer staff queries regarding conflict of proposed construction with design standards and good practice. Direct staff in producing plans and drawings.
6.To be able to resolve site construction problems, e.g. conflict between contract documents and unforeseen obstructions below ground, considering the implication of decision on budgets and programme. With onerous site conditions and contract pressures, i.e. the client and the contractor require immediate direction in order to keep working, proposed design and construction has to be amended considering the actual site facts and remain compliant with technical standards and good practice.
7.To promote discussion within the Drainage Section; to lead initial site survey and investigation of existing highways; to conceive and formulate innovative unconventional design options which will be evaluated and presented together with costs in design reports.
8.To pursue integrated design; to demonstrate best value local authority work. Plan and programme drainage and flood remediation works to cause minimal disruption to residents, pedestrians and motorists.
9.Ability to be innovative solutions for complex engineering schemes.
10.Interpret new legislation from government and incorporate into current working practices and procedures and ensure adherence by all contractors and workforce (i.e. Flood and Water bill 2009, Floods & Water Management Act and EU Floods Directive and CDM Regulations 2007).
Decision Making:
  1. Use judgement in planning, developing and implementing drainage, flood remediation and sewerage schemes within the Drainage Team programmes, including the allocation of work to other staff within the team, determination and prioritisation of workload and use of available resources.
  1. Day to day technical decisions
  1. Evaluation of hazards associated with a scheme by risk assessments, and minimising dangers through postholder directing good design and enforcing alternative construction as required by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and to ensure the Authority is not exposed to liability through shortfall in technical standards. Decisions reflect on safety of design, construction staff and members of the public with relation to Council Policy, technical standards and Acts of Parliament.
  1. Negotiate fees for internal Consultancy arrangements and for external Consultants and Contractors in accordance with Council standing orders and financial regulations.
  1. Decides on staff training and development needs within agreed budgetary limits.
  1. Routine decisions relating to the day to day management of the functional area as agreed with the Asset Team Manager.
  1. Approval of drawings, signing timesheets, annual leave and authorising officer signatory.
  1. Due to the level and complexity of the consultation process, the post holder must take onboard the requirements of all stakeholders in order to make an informed decision on the way the project will be delivered.
  1. Decide on content of new legislation and where it impacts on project work, practices and procedures as well as contractors and workforce.

Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003

Contacts and Relationships:
Contact / Reason/relationship / Activity / Frequency

Internally

Asset Team Manager /

Team Leader

/ Giving expert guidance and support on highly technical and complex engineering and contentious matters.
Receive briefs, fact-finding, review objectives and report on progress of schemes.
Review budgets and timescales, office working. Brainstorming problem areas. / Daily
Drainage Projects Manager / Sub-ordinate / As above.
Co-ordination of project work
Advising on local authority practice.
Discussing highly technical and complex engineering problems and Project management of schemes. / Daily, hourly
Technical Assistant / Sub-ordinate / To talk through, review and progress work. Checking of quality and production.
To motivate employee. / Hourly
Colleagues
Quality Manager / Colleagues / General liaison.
Integration of disciplines for management of projects.
Review of budgets and staff fees. / By project
Clients / Client / Review of briefs and budgets. Fact-finding. Development of scheme solutions.
Giving expert engineering guidance to solve complex problems considering implications to customers and Council, / Once per week, or by project
Officers in Other Directorates
Other Service Areas / Contractor and client / Giving expert civil and structural engineering guidance and design, reviewing service provision and fees. Fact-finding to evaluate analysis and propose, sometimes with persuasion, cost effective construction to solve complex and multiple problems. / As and when, per project
Elected Members / Support / Provide assistance to elected members in preparing for and attending drainage related meetings / Monthly
Externally
Statutory Undertakers
Environment Agency
Drainage Boards
Anglian Water
Severn Trent Water / Integrating scheme with existing undertakers’ apparatus / Fact finding and establishing the necessity of Undertaker Works and cost implications to Council. / Per project
Consultants / Appointed design/checking consultants / Providing expert guidance for engineering systems.
Seeking changes and corrections to proposals, sometimes with persuasion. / Per project
Contractors
Site Agents / Contractors / Seeking quotes and tenders for contractors to build works. Resolving complex site problems, conflicts, onerous ground conditions, considering cost and programme implications. / Daily, per project
Emergency Services / Integrating scheme with emergency service operations
Emergency planning role / Planning and providing information on works affecting roads.
Giving expert advice to fire service on condition and safety of structures at major fires. / Per project, as and when required.
Public / Customer liaison / Fact finding, evaluating and resolving issues. Informing public of facts. Enforcing unpopular conditions, e.g. requirements in order to approve building control applications, where recipients can be irritated and rude. / Per specific project

Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003

Responsibility for Resources: (to include approximate value, sole or shared responsibility and for what percentage of their working hours away from their designated base)
1.Responsible for effective maintenance and calibration of surveying equipment stock.
2.Responsible for survey equipment on site, EDM (Electronic theodolite), level, camera, metal detector, cable detector, cordless drill, etc., as and when used for site investigations.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work Demands:
  1. Although there are a number of tasks which can occur regularly such as attendance at pre-scheduled meetings, meeting deadlines for committee reports and preparation of financial reports, this provides little more than an operating framework. The project management of any one scheme is likely to involve being flexible and responsive to a host of ever changing scenarios and there are a large number of schemes being dealt with at any one time. In addition, to meet the unscheduled demands/needs of Members, Politicians, Parish Councils, Line Managers, Officers and members of the public means there is seldom routine at the best of times. Engineering schemes, traffic management and highway development issues, by their very nature, lead to difficulties that require a relatively prompt response.
  1. This post involves the delivery of large projects of varying type and complexity, within budget and to appropriate time scales. The influences on these schemes can be numerous and even the original parameters of the scheme can change as further information becomes available. Although the overall budget provision is initially fixed (although even this will change towards the financial year-end), the programme of works is ever changing as a response to these various influences. Fluctuations in workload are inevitable throughout this ever-changing programme of works. In addition workload increases at various times of the year, such as revised estimates, financial year end closedown, team EDR’s, Service Planning and daily as a response to colleagues, Parish Councils, members of the public etc.
  1. Deadlines within this programme are agreed with team members and colleagues in other departments. It is necessary to adopt a non-adversarial, partnership approach to ensure a successful outcome whilst recognising a duty to plan appropriate contingency measures in the event of problems with scheme delivery. Other deadlines are a function of the priorities set by the postholder, which arise from the priorities established within the Service Plan process.

Physical Demands

1.In office about 60% of time either walking about, standing or seated using keyboard and computers.
2.On-site about 40% of time where onerous physical demands include:
Walking and surveying over long distances, between 1 and 3 miles, carrying heavy and delicate surveying equipment.
Lifting and moving very heavy manhole covers for access.

Working Conditions

Approximately 60% office based , 40% on site
1.Site conditions which are encountered whilst carrying out professional engineering duties of investigation and on-site design include:
Noisy, dusty and dangerous environments of traffic and machinery, e.g. construction sites.
Carrying out duties of inspection and problem solving of drainage & sewerage systems in foul sewage, smelly and unpleasant conditions in and around pumping stations and septic tanks. Hazard of rats and needles.
Out-of-hours working throughout night-time road closures
Working in wet and freezing conditions.
2.Required to drive to site for all of the above regardless of weather conditions.

Work Context

1.There are potential risks to personal health and safety after assessment and minimisation of risks.
2.Risks are from traffic, moving machinery and electrical apparatus from site activities as above. Some work is carried out in remote sites with or without an assistant. By the nature of the work, other immediate support may not be available. A mobile phone is available to use in emergencies.

Position in Organisation:
Indicate how many staff the post is directly accountable for: 5

Does the postholder manage the posts Yes OR

Does the postholder supervise the posts Yes  No
Are posts in more than one location? No
Is the supervision/management shared with another post in the structure? No 
Please indicate which post(s) ______



Note:

Post holders will be expected to be flexible in undertaking the duties and responsibilities attached to their post and may be asked to perform other duties, which reasonably correspond to the general character of the post and are commensurate with its level of responsibility. This job description is provided for guidance only and does not form part of the contract of employment.

Date of Job Description…………………………….

Date copy sent to Post holder…………………………….

Corporate Services Cabinet Member 12 November 2003